The logo for the new Valley Stream Roller Hockey League which will begin play in 2013.

After a long layoff, hockey is making its way back to Valley Stream in less than two months. Jeff Kotcher, a 23-year-old Valley Stream resident, has officially founded the Valley Stream Roller Hockey League and plans to get the first season underway in late May.

“Everything is moving pretty quickly and everyone’s really gearing up for the season to start,” he said.

He toured the rink, which is located between Sunrise Highway and the Valley Stream Long Island Rail Road station, in February with Mayor Ed Fare, Village Clerk Bob Barra, Treasurer Michael Fox and Recreation Director Tom Roberts. Kotcher said the rink was in good shape despite now being used for hockey in a few years and will be more than ready to go.

A VSRHL website was launched in March that features league rules and information, in addition to registration forms for people to submit. As of now, interested parties can print out forms online, fill them out, and submit the paperwork to Kotcher after sending him an email. Kotcher is hopeful to have an online registration option available in the near future, though.

A friend from California helped Kotcher set up the website, as well as create a logo. Kotcher said the logo — a bald eagle clutching a hockey stick — was based off the former league’s logo with a new twist.

The rules for the league are basic USA Hockey regulations, Kotcher said, which feature no checking and no offsides.

Once more teams have registered, an official schedule will be made up, but Kotcher said game times would be Mondays through Thursdays from 7 to 11 p.m. to accommodate people traveling from work in New York City.

Interest for the league has been great, Kotcher said, from residents and neighboring communities alike. Now, he’s just waiting on the registration forms to be handed in. Kotcher said people could register up until about a week before the season starts.

The league is open to skaters 18 years and older. “It’s exciting for me to see my dream come true and put in all the hard work,” he said.